Cynthia Erivo, the Tony-winning star of The Color Purple and the film adaptation of Wicked, has been selected to host the 78th Tony Awards, set to take place in June at Radio City Music Hall.
Erivo, who recently received an Oscar nomination for her role in the musical fantasy film Wicked, expressed her excitement about leading Broadway’s biggest night.
“I am proud and excited to have been chosen,” Erivo said in a statement. “I am looking forward to ushering the theatre community through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion.”
The British actress and singer, whose parents are Nigerian, is no stranger to the Tony Awards. She won Best Actress in a Musical in 2016 for her breakout role in The Color Purple and has since earned numerous accolades, including a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award.
The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which present the Tony Awards, praised Erivo for her impact on musical theater. “Through her performances on both stage and screen, Erivo has extended the magic of musical theatre to millions of new fans around the world,” they said in a statement.
Nominations for this year’s Tony Awards will be announced on May 1.